"BLM Proposes End To New Oil Leases On 1.6M Acres In Colorado"

"The Bureau of Land Management proposed Thursday removing more than a million acres of public lands in Colorado from future oil and gas leasing, while also designating tens of thousands of acres of new protected areas in the western part of the state as part of an effort to resolve a series of legal challenges from environmental groups.

The proposal, outlined in a draft resource management plan and draft supplemental environmental impact statement, would establish nine formally designated “Areas of Critical Environmental Concern” (ACECs) on more than 100,000 acres of BLM lands.

An oil and gas industry trade group official blasted the proposal."

Scott Streater and Heather Richards report for E&E News August 3, 2023.